BFP ‘hydrotests’ gas station after reported fuel leak in Makati

Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Makati prepare to lift the concrete cover of a sewerage along Estrella Street to get water samples following the reported gas leak in the area. Photo courtesy of Makati PNP

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Makati has conducted “hydrotesting” of a gasoline station to determine the reported gas leak in Barangay Bangkal, Makati, Radyo Inquirer reported on Friday.

The gas leak was reportedly coming from the Estrella Street outlet of the gasoline station Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc.

Hydrotesting is a process that removes fuel from its underground storage tanks and replaces it with water to determine if the tanks have leakage, without the danger of gas explosion.

Police Supt. Rogelio Pablo Simon, officer in charge at the Makati City Police Station, said a gas leak was reported after seeing what appeared to be a mix of fuel and sewer water at the sewerages of Estrella Street near Phoenix Petroleum gas station on Thursday.

Simon added that “water flushing” was immediately conducted on the canals to avoid danger of explosion.

“Mag flushing ngayon then after mag bubuga sila ng foam on top of the canal para walang danger of explosion while sinisipsip nila ang diesel,” he said in a text message to reporters on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Petroleum said on Thursday that the reported gas leak was an “isolated case,” however, the management has still taken steps to address the incident.

“Please know that the incident at one of our stations in Makati is an isolated case and we have already taken steps to address the matter. And as the safety of the community is our utmost priority, we will continue to take strides to ensure that the issue gets resolved ASAP,” it said in a tweet.

Please know that the incident at one of our stations in Makati is an isolated case and we have already taken steps to address the matter. And as the safety of the community is our utmost priority, we will continue to take strides to ensure that the issue gets resolved ASAP.

— Phoenix Petroleum (@phoenixfuels) November 1, 2018

The management also closed the gasoline station to pave the way for the implementation of the preventive measures. /jpv